*Alias's POV*
The entire week had drug by, and for the first time in a very long time, I couldn't wait for two full days away from this place. I had managed to avoid Kane the entirety of the week aside from Monday when I accidentally locked my keys in my office. He called me at 2 a.m. that morning and just hung up. I didn't bother to ask him why as I assumed it was probably a whiskey filled apology or a butt dial. I also kept my outbursts to a minimum in the morning meeting to prevent any unnecessary interaction with him. Honestly, I just hoped enough time would pass, and we could forget the previous week entirely. Kane wants to keep things professional, I'm 100% on board. Truthfully, I have no interest for personal matters to intertwine with work matters any way. I learned a hard lesson about that a long time ago, but I did want to spend time with Kane and get a chance to explore a new side of life, but he definitely shot down any hopes I had for that. Just when I started to find him attractive beyond his appearance. So much for that too.
My department was thriving from the first time I walked into the office. Everyone was hesitant at first, but I made my own rule for us. It's a requirement to communicate and share ideas for as long as I'm department head. No sitting miserable in cubicles not knowing the persons name 10 feet away from you. When Kane saw Monday, I assumed he'd shut it down immediately, so I had a defense entirely planned out. To my surprise, he seemed to think it was a good idea, though we didn't talk much about it. I had decided to make the best of the situation at hand, so I kept myself busy all week coming up with games and contests for my department.
We were about to draw names of three lucky entry level marketers to work with me on creating a marketing budget for one of the starter companies when I got a text from Sarah. I missed her deeply, but she was doing an amazing job of keeping my office going in my absence.
Sarah: Hey stranger! Drinks tonight?
Alias: Who is this? Just kidding, you read my mind! Where to?
Sarah: The Tavern?
Alias: Absolutely!
Sarah: I'll have a cab pick you up around 7:30 (:
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The day flew by as we spent most of it coming up with ideas to cut costs and new marketing strategies. Things were so much better since I implemented my own techniques, and the employees were so much happier leaving the office than when I first started.
I felt a sense of accomplishment as I locked up my office and made my way to the elevator. I was looking down at the floor, smiling to myself as the doors dinged open. My smile quickly faded as my eyes landed on shiny black dress shoes, which I followed up to meet Kane's eyes. I held in the groan lingering at the top of my throat as I stepped into the elevator. I stood beside him and watched the doors close praying we wouldn't have to converse on the short ride to the lobby. Of course, I was wrong.
"Ms. Star," Kane smiled at me lightly.
"Mr. Rhodes," I acknowledged him nonchalantly. I was still a little angry with him. I mean what the hell were we doing anyway? It's so much easier pretending he's nothing more than the CEO of the company I'm currently working for.
"Plans for tonight?" He tried to make small talk.
"Yup," I tried to keep it short.
"Where too?" He questioned. As if it were any of his business, I mentally rolled my eyes. The elevator ride has never been this long.
"Drinks with a friend," I stated as the doors opened to the lobby. Saved by the bell, literally.
Kane had his mouth open as if he were going to say something else, but I walked straight off the elevator completely uninterested in small talk of any kind with him.
"Have a nice night, Mr. Rhodes," I yelled over my shoulder as I made my way out of the building.
I spotted Damion beside the car, undoubtedly waiting for Kane. He shouted hello from beside the car, and I just waved him off as I continued down the street to catch a cab. I was still a little angry with Damion as well for telling Kane I was drunk in the bar that night. I guess I had no right to be mad considering his loyalty lies with Kane rather than me.
I finally caught a taxi and instructed him to my building. It had been such a time since I started here at Rhodes Inc., and I was much overdue for an actual good time. I planned my outfit in my head as the city lights flashed by. We arrived at my building, I paid the cab driver and halfway ran the entire way to my apartment. I threw off my work clothes as if I couldn't get out of them fast enough.
I chose a silk black maxi dress that hugged my curves and some black heeled sandals to match. I ran the curling iron through my curls that had fallen earlier in the day. Sarah texted to let me know she was sending a cab for me and we would meet at the Tavern. I grabbed a little red clutch to add a pop of color to my look and paired with ruby red lipstick. As I made my way back downstairs, my phone pinged with a message. Probably Sarah letting me know the cab arrived.
Kane: Alias, would you like to grab a drink later?
I scoffed and shoved my phone back down into my clutch. Seriously, Kane? Not only did I just tell him that I had plans, but on top of that, weren't we keeping things professional? He came up with that stupid shit, so honestly, how dare he have the audacity to ask. I swear that man is nothing but a headache. Fuck Kane Rhodes. I was having a good time tonight, and I wasn't thinking about him a single second until Monday morning.
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That cab driver dropped me off in front of the Tavern, and I spotted Sarah at the bar immediately. A ginormous smile erupted across my face as I approached my best friend. She held two shots up in her hand, and I burst out laughing knowing they were both for me.
"Two tequila shots for the legend herself!" She yelled over the music. Sarah knew I always started with two tequila shots whether we were celebrating, sad, or just having drinks. It was sort of like my own tradition. I bowed jokingly before taking both shots and downing them in record time.
"Somebody really needed a drink," she bantered.
"Without a doubt, hardest two weeks ever!" I groaned as I slid into the barstool beside her.
"Well, spill everything. It's only been an eternity since we last spoke!" She eagerly leaned in towards me.
I remembered I hadn't told Sarah anything. Not about breakfast, the club, sleeping over at Kane's, a almost becoming his sub, any of it. So much for not thinking about him, hell. I groaned from the deepest depths of my soul before spilling every last detail. Sarah's jaw remained dropped the entirety of the story, all the way up to the text from him right before I got here.
"Alias, holy shit," She had utter shock across her face, "Firstly, fuck Kane Rhodes for tricking me like that. You know I wouldn't have told him anything if I had known the truth."
"No need to apologize, he's damn good at manipulating people," I rolled my eyes, "Hell, I was going to agree to something I had no clue about. Something about that man, but I see him for what he is now. A fucking brat. And do you know, he had the nerve to tell me I'm the brat?"
"Because you don't fall to his feet like every other woman?" She shot me a sideways glance.
"Probably so, who cares!" I shrugged my shoulders, "I did want to get to know him though," I admitted.
"Well, sounds like he has some issues of his own to resolve first," she explained.
